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On SAM at 8Q

Admission was free when I went. But I can see why. There were many exhibitions that were being installed so what I saw was very, very little and somewhat disappointing. So I will not comment on SAM.

Instead, I will focus on the new extension to SAM which is called SAM at 8Q. The architecture is similar to that of the main building. Only difference really is the lack of long corridors in this one. Which makes it a lot easier actually.

The current exhibition needs to be visited! They currently have about 4 galleries open and each one features artists from a specific Asian country. Most of them was well-put together, incredibly nostalgic, and thought-provoking. The stairwell is also hand illustrated by a Singaporean artist which is really dark but stunning and impressive.

The gallery sitters were all really nice and friendly so it does add to the experience of it all. So go visit our local and neighbouring countries' talents!

What in the SAM hill

I remember, back in the olden days, a time when the general public's idea of art was paintings of sampans and tacky oils of flowers in vases. Along came SAM with its egalitarian approach, highly accessible agenda and downright fun activities.

The night lights was a big success, although I did wish that people would not behave like philistines when inside the museum exhibits. Chattering loudly into your mobile phone really isn't cool.

It is great that artists of international renown such as Jia Ai Li (currently on show) are so easily accessible to everybody right here in Singapore for free (on Fridays anyway).

Marry me, SAM.

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In the artist's shoes

This art museum located aptly at Dhoby Ghaut is again another attraction that is of close distance to other good finds in Singapore such as Bras Basah Complex and many more.
That area itself boasts the artistic scene of Singapore, whereby the illustrations on the walls lining the road are hand painted by local students.

The museum holds and exhibits contemporary artworks of artists mainly from Southeast Asia and Asia. This has also been a place where schools frequent for learning journeys. Just like the other day, I was greeted by a group of students curiously and enthusiastically taking photos with the exhibits. It is definitely a good place for everyone, be it a child or an adult, one can surely bring something of value home with him or her after a trip there.

The interior of the musuem attracted me the most, where the building is cleanly clad in white and its structure remains as a colonial structure that reminds one of the history of Singapore where we were once a British colony. The floor tiles are pretty much old school, with a tinge of Peranakan style, and is absolutely one of the features of Singapore as well.

The artworks and exhibits are properly guarded by security and the staff, whereby they are consistent and attentive in ensuring that visitors do not touch them and do not cross the yellow line that is cordoned off and drawn to prevent the damage of those articles.

A fairly clean and comfortable place to spend the afternoon at, as one would be absolutely drawn towards the amazing art pieces and would have forgotten about everything for that while.

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User rating summary from: 21 user(s)

The perfect date, rain or shine

I’m lazy and hate the sun, so the perfect outings or gatherings for me involve shopping, eating dinner, or staying at home. But SAM has become popular recently, and the photobooth print-outs you can get there were honestly what caught my attention.

While I’m not exactly the most cultured person around, the exhibitions were able to keep me interested. The art is very modern and relatable with some exhibits being interactive as well, and hence suitable for the youth. However, the layout of the museum does get confusing - the signs and directions are unclear, and I sometimes found myself walking in circles.

To be extremely honest, many of my friends, me included, visit SAM because of its photobooth, so I think I’d review it a little. The photobooth is extremely squeezy, barely able to fit two people. Otherwise, it’s affordable - $4 for a coloured print-out and a black & white one.

With the exhibits being air-conditioned, and SAM being only a short walk away from Bras Basah MRT station, a visit to SAM would be the perfect date when it’s too hot or rainy.

Thought-provoking

Located in the former St Joseph’s Institution compound, the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is rich in history, and a great place to go to explore contemporary art.

When I visited the museum, the exhibition they were having was After Utopia, a look at our pursuit of a perfect life, at the relentless human pursuit of a fantastical flawless world. It explored many different themes, and had works of art across different mediums, from paintings to sculptures. My favourite piece was located in what was the former chapel- a series of glittering atomic bombs hanging over the empty expanse. It questions the concept of the church as a sanctuary, and brings to mind a curiosity about the world as we perceive it.

Generally, SAM has intriguing exhibitions that feature more than art, and they often allow you to probe deeper into your mind. It’s definitely worth a visit to expand your worldview.

The state of ultimate tranquillity

There is this thing about museums that allows me to be calmer than usual. Probably it is just looking at the different art work being displayed. Singapore Art Museum is one of the museums in Singapore that changes its exhibits once every few months. The exhibits never fail to amaze me, the tremendous amount of effort being put in by every artist on each piece of their work. I am always intrigued by how there is a story behind each piece of work.

Entrance is free for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PR). Prices for foreign citizens are at S$10 for adults. However, they can enjoy free entry every Friday night from 6 – 9 P.M. For photography enthusiast, Singapore Art Museum is a good place to snap a few good photos. Do note that flash photography is not allowed and all photographs taken are for non-commercial use only.

The current exhibit includes the Still Moving exhibit, my personal favourite for now and Medium at Large. These exhibits will be available till the start of next year. Check out their websites for the latest exhibits. In addition, the museum will have interactive exhibits catered for children and adults. It is one to look out for especially during the school holiday period. Singapore Art Museum – definitely one of the places to check out regardless whether you are a tourist or local!

STILL MOVING exhibition

I went to [email protected] with my best friend for the STILL MOVING exhibition! There are three co-curated exhibitions focusing on the nature of the image, as explored in the art of photography and new media.

The first is 'Afterimage', which is an exhibition on contemporary Southeast Asian photographic practices, in partnership with the Singapore International Photography Festival. The second is 'Time Present' which are works selected from the Deutsche Bank collection featuring milestones in international photography. The third is "Image & Illusion", which experiment new media works from the collection of the Yokohama Museum of Art.

No matter if you are a amateur or professional photographer, if you like photography, then this exhibition is suited for you!

One of the best part for this exhibition was the photo booth. You get to take 8 instant photos (4 colored and 4 Black & White) for $2, You can leave the best photos with them and stand a chance to win attractive prizes. But we did not leave any because we rather keep it for our memories!

It will be on display from October 2014 to February 2015, so do head down to have a look at it, since it's FREE anyways! :D

Re-live the past

Last Saturday I attended a one of the free SG50 Tours at museum. You can register for the Reminiscing the Past – Stories of Waterloo and Queen Streets tour online at this website : https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/reminiscing-the-past-stories-of-waterloo-and-queen-streets-registration-11581916825 . The meeting place is at the Glass Hall, Level 1, Singapore Art Museum and it is free. A goodie bag was given and I was surprised to find a exercise book in it. Kind of reminding me of primary school.

The museum used to be St. Joseph Institution. In this tour, we have former students from St. Joseph Institution with us. They shared with us the stories they experienced during schooling in the old building. For example the ghost stories in the building, the tricks they played on the younger students. It was interesting to find that there was a hidden chapel in the building. It was a day filled with interesting facts about the place. Interesting and enjoyable experience.

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Eye- opening experience

The first time I visited Singapore Art Museum was on a school trip. I was particularly fascinated by paintings of famous artists, such as Van Gogh, and was captivated by the intricately carved figurines.

The best thing about Singapore Arts Museum is that it gives a free admission to local students and other specific group of people, such as local senior citizens above the age of sixty years old. Even if the entry admission is not free in your case, the price is affordable and totally worth it. The interesting aspect of Singapore Art Museum is that the art and displays are changed every few times a year, and going there a second time promises new exhibitions.

This is a place not only for tourists in Singapore, but for locals too. Singapore Arts Museum provides a platform for the appreciation of the arts, and there are sometimes really interesting exhibitions which mixes in technology, and allows audience interaction, which actually makes the whole experience captivating and attractive.

Hub for the arts

The ongoing showcase, Untitled, featuring our locally home-bred artists ranging from Lim Tzay Chuen, Chua Ek Kay to Tang Da Wu creates a sense of ambiguity in their intentions. One thing beautiful about this exhibition lies in the power that has been conferred unto the viewer and audience: the decisive power of interpretation of tone, attitude and the work.

Audience members are given little tear-outs and encouraged to write potential titles for the works - something that is considered novel since the times of traditional art where the viewer was regarded as the passive party at the side lines.

Although the current exhibition is stipulated to run until sometime next year, together with other changing exhibits, there are permanent exhibits in one of the studios on level 2.

With the nostalgic interior and the wooden lacquered floors and tiles, the Singapore Art Museum is the place that honors the pioneer artists to the contemporary artists of today. The immersion into the art world of beauty and aesthetics seem to be the priority for the Singapore Art Museum at all times. Exhibitions that are not to be missed would be the Annual Singapore Night Festival (Or Night Lights) - with extensive artworks dealing with lighting - and the Singapore Biennale - a platform for exposure to the myraid of art forms that the Singapore artists pursue in today's evolving world.

SAM. Not bad.

Frequenting the Singapore Art Museum became second nature the moment I chose to become an art student several years ago. Place me on blind fold and I may just manoeuvre myself around this very much accustomed venue, without banging into any items. Or even leave them wobbling. It wasn't exactly the world's best museum ever. However, the strategic location and architecture certainly placed itself into my book of awe.

Boasting an impressive range of preserved British architecture, the Singapore Art Museum caught me off guard for several moments. It's detail, the arches and it's layout is certainly the ideal recipe that left me bubbling in mesmerisation. I believed I spent several more hours marvelling and even drawing the architecture, than actually entering the compound to absorb in the carefully displayed artworks.

The toilet there was not exactly an ordinary one. It had polished white ceramic tiles with white doors and white stools. Oh yes, the basins are white too. Of course. The doors wasn't a usual one either. It was rather small, I could see the crowns of the occupants heads who are standing upon completing their business in there.

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Inspiration

I am an art student and I'm always on the lookout for new ideas and concepts. SAM has been an one of my avenues for that, and my artsy friends and I have been coming here once in a while to do some exploration which would give us ideas and inspire us to make art.

I like SAM in that they regularly have really interesting exhibitions and collections. They sometimes also have guest artists from other countries who host events where we can get up close and personal with these artists.

SAM is also a good place for young learners to learn the art of appreciating art from a young age. I've been to SAM with my school a few times as field trips and those were one of favourite kinds of field trips.

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sam: for every tom, dick and harry

I've been visiting the Singapore Art Museum since I was young, and now, over ten years since my first visit, I still adore the place. I still gush over the architecture; I still marvel at the ingenuity and the creativity of the artists, exhibit after exhibit.

I'm not "artsy", I can't analyse art all that well or appreciate it as much as others do, maybe, but SAM never fails to amaze me all the same.

You might get a bit dizzy, though, from all that thought-provoking art. My friend actually got a headache and sat out the last exhibit! Too much thinking for one day, he said.